Guitar Competition

Competition Registration Closed, Winners Were Announced June 7, 2016. Next Competition Registration Opens January 2018! (every other year)

Competition is open to “Non-Professional Guitarists” (see Rules for details & definition of “non-professional”). Winners will be traveling for performances and recording from the dates of August 28 through September 12, 2016 to Montana, Los Angeles and Tokyo, Japan.

We want to see 2 YouTube videos (no more than 5 min/each; no camera stops) of you playing with your band, a solo arrangement, duet performance, or any other performance that showcases your skills as a guitarist.

You can enter in one of 6 categories: Rock, Blues, Jazz/Fusion, Acoustic/Country, Classical/Flamenco and Rhythm Guitar.

Description of Guitar Music Categories:

Rock/Metal – this is primarily an electric guitar category for rock, metal and progressive styles

Jazz/Fusion – this is primarily an electric guitar category for jazz & fusion but can include acoustic guitar as well.

Acoustic/Country – this would include acoustic or electric guitar styles crossing over from any acoustic or country style music.

Classical/Flamenco – this is an acoustic category for classical & flamenco guitar styles.

Rhythm Guitar – this would include electric or acoustic rhythm guitar playing that focuses on styles that include pop, funk, R&B, and World styles (Brazilian, Latin, African, Island, etc.).

We are looking for more than speed and great guitar chops, so send us something unique and inspiring that displays your musicianship and your virtuosity!

Here’s how to sign up:

Prepare 2 videos (5 min maximum per video, no camera stops) and upload them to YouTube unless you already have them uploaded. Before you register on this site, you should have your 2 videos uploaded and have the YouTube links as you will need them for the registration process. Sign up with a $25 registration fee.

Backing Tracks – both guitar and rhythm applicants may use backing tracks. Preferably they would be original backing tracks (or by musicians associated with the applicant) to demonstrate originality and style. But technically an applicant may use backing tracks that aren’t original.

It is recommended, however not required, that one of the two videos submitted be performing live with other musicians. It doesn’t have to be a public event. It gives the judges an idea on how you play with other musicians.

An applicant may register in both the guitar competition and rhythm competition but each would need a separate registration. Guitar applicants may also register in more than one guitar genre but would require separate registration as well.

If you’ve registered for the competition in a previous year (or even won as a finalist), you may register again. Former grand prize winners may not re-apply.

Our panel of professional guitarist judges will evaluate all the videos and determine six (6) finalists, who will be chosen spread out among the categories. The winners will be announced the first week of June, 2016 and ranked 1-6, with 1 being the grand prize winner.

Guitar Contest Prizes

The 6 guitar finalists will all be considered for the *Berklee College of Music Scholarship Opportunity* (see Guitar Rules for details, criteria & eligibility). Winners will be traveling for performances and recording from the dates of August 28 through September 12, 2016 to Montana, Los Angeles and Tokyo, Japan.

The Grand Prize Guitar Winner:

First choice of One (1) Yamaha acoustic, classical, or electric guitar from A Series, L Series, GC Series or new Revstar.

Recording a track on Lee Ritenour’s forthcoming album to be recorded September 6, 2016. Travel, lodging and stipend are included in the prize. The recording will take place at the incredible Woodshed Recording Studio in Malibu, California. One of the most beautiful and unique studios in Southern California, complete with state of the art equipment and the most scenically stunning of environment where the likes of Sting, U2, Peter Gabriel, Lenny Kravitz, Barbra Streisand, Neil Young, Kanye West, Sam Elliott, Lorde, Melissa Etheridge and Coldplay have recorded.

The opportunity to perform for one night with Lee Ritenour and up-and-coming All-Star musicians from Japan at the legendary Blue Note Tokyo! This performance will take place September 11, 2016 after recording in Los Angeles. This prize package includes international travel, domestic transportation, work visas and Hotel accommodations for three nights. Further details TBD.

Full fellowship to participate in the weeklong Crown Guitar Workshop & Festival 2016 including air & ground transportation and accommodations. This would include attending guitar workshops & live performances at various events during the week. Dates are August 28-September 4, 2016. You will fly to Los Angeles from here. Total package value is $10,000. For more details see: www.crownguitarfest.org